On 95bFM’s Loose Reads Kiran spoke about the locally produced and beautifully crafted Dirt by Gemma Walsh and Katie Kerr. Not your average cookbook, Dirt is experimental and brings together delicious plant-based recipes paired with poems, writing, and conversations with local writers and thinkers. It would make a lovely gift!
95bFM's Loose Reads
95bFM's Loose Reads: The Ockhams’ 2019 Longlist /
It’s an exciting time of year for NZ literature as the Ockhams’ 2019 Longlist has just been announced. Jenna talks to Mikey and Tess about the award categories, some titles to look out for on the longlist and points out what books we’ve reviewed previously on Loose Reads!
They also ponder, how long should you keep reading a book that you’re not enjoying…?
Listen to previous reviews of longlisted titles here:
This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman
The Ice Shelf by Anne Kennedy
Poukahangatus by Tayi Tibble
We Can Make a Life by Chessie Henry
95bFM's Loose Reads: My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen /
It’s a powerful thing to be able to tell your own story in your own words and Lily Allen does it well in My Thoughts Exactly. This autobiography is straight up honest, gossy and super compelling. Listen to Jenna’s review from this morning with Mikey & Tess.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Jenna's Top Reads of 2018 /
Jenna popped into the studio for her last review for 2018, so talks over some of her favourites for the year. These are guaranteed great Christmas gifts.
Top fiction: My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottesha Moshfegh
Top memoir: We Can Make a Life by Chessie Henry
Top kid’s book: The Bomb / Te Pohū by Sacha Cotter
Top cookbook: Ottolenghi’s Simple
Jenna also mentions the following music books:
Tina Turner’s autobiography, Lily Allen’s My Thoughts Exactly, Roger Daltrey’s Thanks a lot Mr. Kibblewhite & Michael Hutchence’s biography (written by his sister.)
95bFM's Loose Reads: Everything I know about Love by Dolly Alderton /
Jenna has started reading through a few customer favourites for 2018 and this is one of them. Everything I know about Love, is a great read for fans of Caitlin Moran, Lena Dunham, Bridget Jones & Sex and the City.
A smart and honest memoir, that is easy to dip into during this busy time of year. Also, check out Dolly’s podcast, The High Low.
Listen below!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Everything Under by Daisy Johnson /
Last week, Kiran chatted to the bFM crew about the Man Booker winner, Milkman. This week, Jenna goes back to the shortlist to review Everything Under, a quiet novel that evokes an eerie feeling of dark family secrets, misunderstanding, destiny and myth. Listen below!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Milkman by Anna Burns /
Is the recently announced 2018 Man Booker Prize winner worthy of a read? Listen to Kiran’s thoughts on Milkman below:
95bFM's Loose Reads: The Ice Shelf by Anne Kennedy /
Jenna reviewed the brilliantly funny The Ice Shelf on 95bFM's Loose Reads today. Listen in to hear why a book about a woman wheeling a fridge around Wellington could be so dang good!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Mars By 1980: The Story of Electronic Music by David Stubbs /
On 95bFM’s Loose Reads, Kiran and Mikey talked about Mars By 1980: The Story of Electronic Music by David Stubbs. A thrilling deep dive into technology and invention, it propels us into sonic space and charts how developments in technology have shaped music over the years. One of the best music books of 2018!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Munmun by Jesse Andrews /
Today we have a special school holiday edition of Loose Reads. Jenna & Eli (13) popped into the 95bFM studio to chat to Mikey about Munmun by Jesse Andrews.
Set in a world where your physical size is based on your wealth, this is a compelling and poignant read for a young generation. This is a book that Eli recommends for readers 12+.
95bFM's Loose Reads: The Only Girl by Robin Green /
Kiran reviewed The Only Girl: My Life and Times on the Masthead of Rolling Stone by Robin Green on 95bFM’s Loose Reads. A juicy, candid memoir from journalist Robin Green who wrote excellent and often damning long-form profiles for iconic magazine Rolling Stone in its 1970s heyday, this is essential reading for lovers of pop and counter culture, West Coast bohemia, political reportage and pacey biographies.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Sabrina by Nick Drnaso /
On this 95bFM book review, Jenna takes a look at the first ever graphic novel to be longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Sabrina is a quietly intense story of the people left behind after a woman goes missing. It’s a story of this moment - the internet age, the media & truthers and is well worth a read - even if you’re a graphic novel novice!
Listen below:
95bFM's Loose Reads: Messing Up the Paintwork: The Wit and Wisdom of Mark E. Smith /
Kiran nipped into the bFM studio to talk to the wonderful Rach and Tess about Messing Up the Paintwork: The Wit and Wisdom of Mark E. Smith, a book that celebrates the very quotable late Mark E. Smith from iconic group The Fall. A crabby, belligerant codger, Smith was known and loved for his sharp wit, caustic insults and wonderful way with words. You’ll want to read bits of the book out to anyone who’ll listen!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Maori Made Easy by Scotty Morrison /
Te wiki o te reo Māori! Jenna visited the 95bBM studio to kōrero about Maori Made Easy & Maori Made Easy 2 - Scotty Morrison's reo learning series. If you're thinking about making the step to learning, these books are the place to start!
We also gave away a copy of the brand new Gecko Press book, Paraweta. You'll have to listen to find out what that means.
Haere mai koutou ki te Time Out toa pukapuka kia tipu ōu reo. Come to Time Out Bookstore to grow your reo. We've got a great selection in stock.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Dopesick by Beth Macy /
Suri gets serious on today's Loose Reads review. Dopesick is a deeply human investigation into the American opioid epidemic and the greed of corporations with blood on their hands.
A top pick from the current affairs section! Listen below:
95bFM's Loose Reads: This Mortal Boy by Fiona Kidman /
Today's 95bFM review is about Dame Fiona Kidman's This Mortal Boy. This is a novel based on the true story of Albert 'Paddy' Black, the second last man to be hanged in New Zealand.
Masterfully crafted, this is a heartbreaking tale. Jenna found it very engaging, very sad and it captures a strong sense of the time. The facts are there, but they are incredibly human.
Listen to the review below! And if you're in Hamilton this week, Kiran will interviewing Dame Fiona Kidman, Catherine Robertson and Julie Thomas for the ‘Fiction Three Ways’ panel discussion this Friday at Hamilton Book Month. It’s at the The Meteor, 6.30pm. It’s FREE and you even get a glass o’ wine. People of Hamilton, roll up!
95bFM's Loose Reads: Poukahangatus by Tayi Tibble /
In anticipation of this week's NZ Poetry Day and our All Tomorrow's Poets event, Suri visited Mikey and Sarah in the bFM studo to talk about Poukahangatus by Tayi Tibble, published by Victoria University Press.
95bFM's Loose Reads: Paul Simon: The Life by Robert Hillburn /
In preparation for Father's Day, Jenna reviewed the ultimate DAD ROCK biography of Paul Simon. This is the only authorised biography of this notoriously difficult musician's life.
Jenna, Sarah & Mikey discuss poor Art Garfunkel, the muppets and Graceland.
Jenna also mentions this excellent documentary about Graceland, Under African Skies. You can watch it here.
95bFM's Loose Reads: All Gates Open: The Story of Can by Rob Young & Irmin Schmidt /
Kiran talked about All Gates Open: The Story of Can by Rob Young and Irmin Schmidt, a definitive biography of the legendary, important and influential German group Can who were an exciting mix of jazz, improvised music, electronic music, avant garde and classical music. Kiran spent five months reading this hefty book, and highly recommends it!
95bFM's Loose Reads: The Pisces by Melissa Broder /
Today, Jenna reviewed The Pisces...a merman erotica by Melissa Broder, author of @sosadtoday.
This book tells the tale (or tail) of Lucy, an anxious student who moves to Venice Beach for the summer to dog sit for her sister.
She soon meets Theo the merman, with a tail that starts below his bum.
A rather bonkers read, which is funny and well written, as well as a poignant observation of despression. Listen below for more!